mp3 encoder

I've got X2 and when I go to export in mp3 format sonar tells me I have to unlock the mp3 encoder or purchase it - is that the case for X2?  I can turn my wavs into mp3s outside of Cakewalk as I have, but would like to just make mp3s from X2 if I can - does anyone know if I have to purchase something or if there's a fix or download to do it in X2 - thanks.

one last question - I got the lame to work in X2 - but it asked me if I wanted to use a subformat of signed 8 bit 16 bit or 24 bit - I chose 24 bit but is there a preferable choice?  Thanks again.

uh the lame mp3 encoder seems to be giving me flac mixdowns - anybody have any idea why?

When you set up the LAME encoder, you need to select "New" prior to configuring it (from the tutorial post above) in that first window that pops up. I just noticed that if you do not do that, the CLSID that defaulted for me was the FLAC file (which already exists).

Anything done in the External Encoder utility will not affect wave file export.

equality
I figure that  very few mp3-players, smart phones or car stereos would play anything but 16 bit.
As far as the mp3-encoder which comes with Sonar, the encoder is ok but is should of course be included in the basic version of any DAW. Come on, the world's most used music sound format! It also surprises me that in CW's world the default bitrate is 128 kbit/s - this is easily changed but why this lousy quality as a not adjustable default setting!?

Cakewalk are one of the very few ethical companies that stick to the letter of the licence under which lame has been released. For a paid for software company like Cakewalk to include the lame mp3 codec it would be required that they impose a levee according to that licence. For private use, the lame mp3 encoder is free.

So Cakewalk provide all the information and even a codec installation routine to allow you to make use of the freely distributed lame encoder. If you want to have it included in Sonar by Cakewalk themselves, you pay for a one off licence and you have it available in any future version.

Other companies don't tell you that they're charging you the licence fee and you pay for it in every version, over and over.

So the choice is yours. Do a little work yourself and have use of the lame encoder for free or take the easy way and have Cakewalk supply it ready to install and pay a ,licence fee just once.